I would like to warn readers that the advertisement from "Bogaziçi Koleji" which recently appeared on another TEFL site has all the hallmarks of a scam, probably perpetrated by the same con-artists as were responsible for the Cent Koleji scam a few weeks ago. The give-aways are:

Number of Positions: 15. Why would any school suddenly need 15 foreign English teachers?

Salary: USD 1900 - 2100. This is very high by Istanbul standards.

Address: The postcode is wrong. Postcodes in that part of Istanbul start with 80, not 34. (I presume the 30400 in the advertisement is a typing error for 34000.) Also, as far as I know Bogaziçi Koleji is on Büyükdere Caddesi, not Cumhuriyet Caddesi (again spelt wrongly in the advertisement)

Telephone / Fax: As with "Cent Koleji", they give the same number for fax and phone. A large school such as this would have a separate fax number. Furthermore, a search on the online Türk Telekom directory reveals that the number in the advertisement is allocated to Enkesörlü Telefon Müdürlügü, Taksim. The number of the real Bogaziçi Koleji is listed as 212 285 2360.

I wouldn't mind betting that anyone who applies will be immediately offered a position and then asked for a few hundred dollars as a "visa processing fee". Of course, I could be wrong...

Hello, Double Agent. Read the threads "Paying for Work Permit", "Cent Koleji - Update" and "Beware!!! a Scam" on this board. It appears that the scam-artists post job advertisements using the name of a real school in Istanbul, but fake phone/fax numbers and addresses - in the case of Cent Koleji they even set up a fake website. When you phone the number given they offer you a job and then ask for USD 500 as a visa processing fee.

I should point out, Double Agent, that Bogaziçi Koleji and Özel Cent Koleji are both reputable schools and it is not being suggested that they are in any way involved in the scam. The matter has already been reported to the authorities and I agree it should be fairly easy for them to do something - particularly since the con-artists give you a bank account number into which to pay the USD 500 - but then again, this is Turkey!

well, i actually applied to the school. I saw the ad and thought hmmmm 1900 to 2100?? why not. They do have a website, which looks somewhat professional. Anyway, i sent only my CV, and a few days latter I recieved a letter saying I was accepted. A bit strange since I only recieved this email, and never spoke with anyone let alone had an interview. My suspicions were confirmed at the bottom of the crudely written ¨acceptance form¨they sent me with loads of typos, they asked to have 500 USD sent to them for processing fees. It seems they are not really trying anymore. Its is quite transparent and poorly done, but then again, I had already read the ´BEWARE a scam´ threads. Everyone, steer clear of this school!

* NOTE: Completed acceptance form should be sent to the Recruitment Officer along with a processing fee of US$500 which will cover the processing of working permit/papers, courier services, administrative cost e.t.c. Processing fees should be sent through Western Union Money Transfer to the Recruitment Officer, WESTHEAD LEO ANTHONY. All inquiries in respect of the processing of your application/working permit and other issues should be directed to the Registrar, BOGAZICI COLLEGE, Dr. Mrs. Pembe Baslar, Tel: + 90 212 253 14 03 or e-mail to bogazici@teacher.com, webmaster@bogazicicollege.s5.com Or Mr. Westhead Leo Anthony: 90 537 219 98 03.

This was in letter part 2 of the acceptance letters they SENT me.....
*beep*.